Bokaro POCSO Court Delivers Life Sentences in Heinous 2023 Child Rape Case
A POCSO court in Bokaro has delivered a landmark verdict, sentencing two men to life imprisonment for the brutal rape of a 12-year-old girl in 2023. The case, which shocked the community, saw the survivor later give birth to a child, adding to the trauma of the crime.
Court's Verdict and Compensation Order
Special POCSO Judge Devesh Kumar Tripathi found the two accused guilty of rape under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. In addition to the life term, the court ordered a compensation of Rs 7 lakh to the survivor, invoking the Victim Compensation Scheme and POCSO rules to provide financial support for her recovery and future.
Details of the Crime Revealed in Court
According to the special public prosecutor, the horrific incident unfolded in August 2023. The girl, while searching for her younger brother, was lured by one of the accused to his house. There, he gagged her, tied her hands, and subjected her to rape, reportedly showing obscene photos on a mobile phone during the assault. Later, upon learning of the incident, the second accused also raped her, compounding the violence.
Attempts to Conceal the Pregnancy
The girl's father testified that when her health deteriorated during pregnancy, the first accused took her to a local pharmacy for so-called "treatment" in an effort to hide the condition. This move was part of a broader conspiracy to keep the pregnancy secret, as alleged in the FIR.
Alleged Connivance and Abandonment of Newborn
The FIR also named the first accused's wife, his brother, and his brother's wife for their alleged involvement. It was claimed that the women in the household monitored the girl's movements, preventing her from leaving home to ensure the pregnancy remained concealed. The girl went into labor on May 10, 2024, and after delivery, the newborn was reportedly abandoned in a shed. Fortunately, a neighbor rescued the child, highlighting the community's role in the aftermath.
This case underscores the severe impact of child sexual abuse and the legal system's commitment to justice under the POCSO Act, while also raising concerns about societal complicity in such crimes.
